Etzebeth is set to “astound us”

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South Africans who are concerned about the hole left in the lineout by the retirement of Victor Matfield

and the imminent departure for Japan of Andries Bekker need have no fear – Eben Etzebeth is set to

“astound us” with his ability to follow in the footsteps of those two players.

That is the view of DHL Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot, who delivered his own rendition

of that old song "You ain't seen nothing yet" when asked about Etzebeth's adaption to the pressures

and responsibilities of being the No 5 jumper and the lineout leader in the 20-15 Vodacom Super Rugby

 win over the Reds at Newlands last weekend.

Asked if that meant he felt that Etzebeth could make the step up to Springbok level in that role if needed,

Proudfoot responded as follows: “As I said, he is going to astound us”.

He already has to some extent as a No 4 lock tasked with having to perform the tight aggressive role

that Bakkies Botha did for the Springboks so successfully and for so long. Last year Botha was hardly

missed as Etzebeth, in his first season of senior rugby, adapted to the challenge in a way that belied

his youthfulness. He was just 20 years old when he made his Springbok debut against England little

more than 12 months ago.

Although Etzebeth has been out for most of the season with injury, he has already made an impact

upon his return. He worked well with Bekker in the last match of the overseas tour against the Rebels,

and was unfortunate to be on the losing side. And in the win over the Reds, he was the man of the match

as he made a full fist of his first outing as leader of the lineout and a middle of the line jumper.

“He did a fantastic job against the Reds, and in terms of him being able to replace Andries when he

leaves, it is now very much a case of like for like,” said Proudfoot.

“It (No 5) is a role he will grow into. I was extremely impressed with the way he used his options when

he led the lineout last week, and I am very pleased with what he delivered. He changed it up between

four and five man lineouts very well, he knew when to make the calls, and he was confident doing it.”

According to Proudfoot, Etzebeth was reticent to take on the same responsibility when it was discussed

in the run in to the Super Rugby play-offs last season. However, Proudfoot stressed that he would never

equate Etzebeth and Bekker with one another, and said that Etzebeth had benefitted enormously from

being tutored by the senior player.

“Every generation stands to some extent on the shoulders of the generation before.

That mentorship role is crucial. Eben has had the senior man whispering in his ear and advising

him during his first year of senior rugby, and it has been vital.”

Proudfoot said it was important not place too much pressure on Etzebeth too soon, and was wary

of getting too far ahead of himself in his praise for the youngster.

“As I’ve said, he is a player who will astound us in the future, but we’ve got to give him a chance to

develop,’ said the assistant coach.

Although De Kock Steenkamp, a senior man in the squad, may well be back in the starting team on

Saturday when the Stormers play the Kings, there is a good chance that Etzebeth will be given a

chance to build further on where he left off against the Reds.

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Sharkbok these two young locks are preparing to rule world rugby. We have very good young locks in Etzebeth, Du Toit,  De Jager (125 kg) Willemse and guys like Flip still reasonably young etc.

Its clearly a very hard time to be a ab lock and with the abs having to rely on the likes of retardlick trouble is looming for the wee abs.

Hower what delights me is the fact that an erroneous principle in SA rugby is about to be utterly shattered. There has been this moronic notion you should have  an enforcer lock like Bakkies and a pap string bean like matfield. A more stupid notion is difficult to imagine and Etzebeth and Du Toit will I trust destroy it forever.

I think even the dumbest of adherents to this insane philosphy will see the error of their ways and will wish they had listened to Beeno as the egg mounts and mounts.  

Learn what true lock play is by watching Etzebeth and and Du Toit at work oaks!  Once you click you should realise that you were conned big time. The truth must out.

I thought he already had - here he is with that famous look!

Bluebok beware of hakwa and his pictures there is not one he has ever posted that hits the nail on the head. Not one! Its assasination by pictures with hakwa.

Beeno i agree with you! im so sick and tired of hearing that nonsense about an enforcer and a specialist 5. The biggest dribble i have ever heard! There are so many options in a lineout a team can use its loose forwards as additional jumpers. Surely if that is the case for lineouts that you must have a specialist 5 then you damn well need two specialist Locks for scrumming! oops there goes that theory out the door! In todays rugby locks and flanks should be interchangable.